After finishing the first quarter of the season with a perfect 4-0 record, the New England Patriots are starting to look like the Patriots of old. Winning with strong defense and timely offense, they are starting to pull the pieces together and find a winning formula. With this success, there are awards to hand out on both sides of the ball.
Defensive MVP: Cornerback Aqib Talib
Without a doubt, Talib has been the glue that has held this defense together. He very well could be the entire team’s MVP through the first four games. It seemed like centuries have passed since the Patriots have had a shutdown corner a la Ty Law that can take away a team’s top receiver.
New England has finally found it in the Tampa Bay castaway. Through the first four games Talib is tied for first in the NFL in interceptions with four and tied for second in passes defended with seven. Talib has done nothing but dominate opposing receivers, which allows the Patriots to do things they haven’t done in years on defense.
What makes Talib a unique player is the combination of his size and speed. Standing in at 6-foot-one and 205 pounds, Talib is larger than the average cornerback. He does not lack in speed either, something he showed against Atlanta when he kept up with wide receiver Julio Jones, who is considered one of fastest, most dynamic athletes in the game.
His ability to both overpower and keep up with receivers has allowed Talib to become one of the NFL’s most dominating cornerbacks so far this season.
If Talib can find a way to stay healthy and stay on the field for the entire season, this New England defense should be able to find a way to stay in games. His impact on the defense is monumental as he allows head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to run different and unusual schemes to slow down offenses. After signing a one-year contract this offseason, Talib has lined himself up for a massive pay day if he can keep up this impressive level of play. In the meantime, the Patriots will enjoy having a dominant cornerback shutting down the opposition.
Honorable Mention: Defensive End Chandler Jones
The second-year defensive end out of Syracuse University has started the year with three sacks in four games and is a pivotal part of the New England pass rush. He needs to continue to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stay healthy to make this New England defense roll.
Offensive MVP: Quarterback Tom Brady
Believe it or not, this could have just as easily gone to someone other than Brady. With strong performances in the Tampa Bay and Atlanta games, Brady clearly showed why he is still the guy in New England.
Although his stats through the first four games are not the Tom Brady stats we’re used to thus far – 7 TDs, 2 INTs, 87.4 quarterback rating – he continues to be one of the game’s best. Many considered Danny Amendola to be Brady’s top target beginning the year, yet he hasn’t played a complete four quarters and tight end Rob Gronkowski has yet to even play a snap. The only veteran receiver Brady has been able to rely on is Julian Edelman. Other than that, it’s been rookies and castoffs in the passing game.
Not all the rookies have been disappointing. Wideout Kenbrell Thompkins has started to come around, racking up 168 yards, three touchdowns and some pivotal receptions against the Buccaneers and Falcons. Fellow rookie receivers Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce have also showed spurts of skill, but haven’t shown it on a consistent basis quite yet. Edelman is regarded as the rock of Brady’s receiving arsenal and is tied for the league lead in receptions with 34 through the first four games.
For all intents and purposes, Edelman has successfully replaced Wes Welker as Brady’s trustworthy slot receiver.
Brady has been both criticized and praised through the first four games. After the rainy Thursday night game against the New York Jets, he was picked apart for being too rough on his rookie receivers and for showing negative emotion during the game. Against Atlanta, he was praised for taking this group of receivers no one has heard of and putting up over 300 yards and two touchdowns in one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. Love him or hate him, Tom Brady continues to do what he’s always done: find a way to win.
Although it might not be pretty and everyone might not agree with it, Brady is going to do what it takes to win. If that means holding teammates accountable for their mistakes, or even yelling at himself after missing a throw, No. 12 holds everyone to the highest level of responsibility for their performance. This level of leadership and drive is exactly what the Patriots need to take one of the league’s youngest teams deep into the playoffs.
Honorable Mention: The offensive line
This unit nearly got the award over Brady himself. The offensive line has been very good for the first quarter of the year and has been a key piece in helping the Patriots establish a strong running game to help open up their attack through the air. Although they have surrendered seven sacks through the first four games, that has a lot to do with Brady holding the ball longer and waiting for his young receivers to get open. Consistent strong play from the offensive line will be necessary to protect Brady and also help the running backs find holes and break off big plays.